Fadig brakes

B

Bernie

Junior Member
Hi, My '39 fORD IS HAVING A FADING BRAKE PROBLEM. FEEL MUSHY WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AND REQUIRES A LOT OF PUMPING? WHAT TO DO?? THANKS, BERNIE
 
We need more information. Did you just do a brake job or is it a problem that just appeared on a good set of brakes? What did you do just before the problem began?

Charlie Stephens
 
Charlie Stephens said:
We need more information. Did you just do a brake job or is it a problem that just appeared on a good set of brakes? What did you do just before the problem began?

Charlie Stephens
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Charlie, The brakes are relatively new ones and the problem developed slowly and is now very unsatisfactory. I drive the car only like once a month. When they were originally working they worked very well and that was probably six months ago. Thanks
 
First check the master cylinder fluid level, if low add. Next pump up the pedal (recheck the master fluid level as you go) as high as you can. If you can get a pedal, and it holds as you press down, you need to bleed the wheel cylinders. If bleeding the cylinders fixes the problem, but the symptoms return the wheel cylinders need to be rebuilt. On the other hand if the best pedal is the first pump and subsequent pumping causes the pedal to drop, test this way. Take the time to recheck master fluid level, then take a hard stab at the pedal hold it down tight. This is to test the master cylinder. Should the pedal drop while you keep holding pressure on the pedal, then the master is bad and needs to be rebuilt. I think you're describing air in the lines and low fluid. Possibly in need of a wheel cylinder rebuild. However your choice the word fade leads to suspect you might be describing a bad master. On occasion adding fluid, bleeding the air out of the wheel cylinders is enough. The best thing, though, is to pull the drums off and inspect the cylinder boots for leaks before the fluid gets on your linings. Start with fronts if you find that the problem is there you can avoid the task of pulling the rears. Good Luck
 
Maybe time to adjust the linings as you have said the brakes are relatively new..?? check the bottom of all your brake drums and make sure there is nothing wet there..
 
Maybe take to to a brake shop and have them pressure blead. And if you have DOT 5 brake fluid in your system it will get air bubbles in it when you do a lot of pumping especially when done fast.
 
Like the Aussie said, adjust them. Do this first since it's the easiest thing to do and should have been done after six months on some new shoes anyways. If you still have to pump them up after adjusting, try the bleeding.
 
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